A decade in the Texas Senate and two years heading the powerful finance committee was enough for Tommy Williams, who announced Thursday he would not return for the 2015 session.

Williams, R-The Woodlands, said he and his wife, Marsha, are "concentrating on new opportunities."

His staff remained vague on the reason for his sudden announcement and any future plans.

"He's got some opportunities but nothing concrete, nothing firm," said spokesman Gary Scharrer, responding to rumors Williams may be headed to a government relations job at his alma mater, Texas A&M University.

The exact date of his departure was equally unclear. Williams said he wanted to structure his resignation so both his Senate seat and finance chairmanship shift to someone else smoothly. He said plans to meet with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Gov. Rick Perry in the coming weeks.

Perry can set a special election once Williams formally resigns.

In a statement, Dewhurst credited Williams for "crafting a nuanced, conservative budget" earlier this year.

Williams' departure means the chief authors of budget bills in both chambers will be newcomers to their leadership positions. House Appropriations Committee chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, announced in August he would not seek re-election.

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The loss of both budget leaders does not create a gap in finance knowledge, Williams said.

"It's flattering to think that, but there are capable people," he said. "The legislature has wisely institutionalized that experience with the Legislative Budget Board."

A conciliator

Williams' loss may be hardest felt because of his ability to bring fractured political opponents together.

"He did a really good job balancing the issues of both wings of the Republican Party and put together a budget that addressed concerns of Democrats and moderate Republicans without alienating the conservative movement," said Rice University political scientist Mark Jones.

In this year's regular session, Williams helped write a $197 billion, two-year state budget that left at least $7 billion of state savings unspent.

His budget plan was attacked by some fiscal hawks in the Senate and anti-tax groups outside of the Legislature. Williams aggressively responded, labeling critics as either misinformed or intentionally twisting budget figures as a way to raise money for their groups.

"He's a pretty frank leader and is not afraid to do what's right," said Sen. Juan Hinojosa, a Democrat from McAllen and vice chair of the upper chamber's finance committee. "Many times he was criticized by the Tea Party people, but he didn't' waver."

As a senator for the past decade, Williams championed various highway-related programs and sought more funding for widening and maintaining state roads. The proposals sometimes pitted Williams, an accountant, against some Republicans who balked at increases the taxes or registration fees.